Antwerp (Brussels Morning) – The ZNA and GZA hospitals in Antwerp, Belgium are merging to form a larger hospital Ziekenhuis aan de Stroom (ZAS) with the help of a €200 million loan from the European Investment Bank.
Last Tuesday on 25 June 2024 doctors at Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen (ZNA) didn’t like the money plans for a merger. But today on 28 June 2024 they said okay to the deal after talking more and feeling better about the money stuff. So ZNA is making things better by joining up hospitals and making them more modern. They’re spending a lot on new buildings like the Cadix hospital to replace the old ones and fixing up ZNA Middelheim too. The European Investment Bank (EIB) gave ZNA a big loan of €200 million to help make healthcare better and save money by getting rid of unnecessary services. This money is a big help for ZNA to keep going with their important plans.
What was the outcome of the discussions between ZNA doctors and management over the financial contribution rules?
The rule says how much money docters must give from their pay called contributions. It also tells how the money can be used and handled. Some docters wanted more cash for new ideas. The ZNA hospital docter’s group chatted about it and agreed on the rules. They promised to invest in new things for ZAS but didn’t change the money plan. At first some docters were not happy with how the money would be used. They wanted more cash for new ideas to help patients better and make the hospital run smoother.
Lately the bosses and docters at Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen (ZNA) had good talks. They explained things better and cleared up any confusion. They also promised to invest in new stuff for Ziekenhuis aan de Stroom (ZAS) docters to help them work better. Even though they talked well and made more promises the main money plan stays the same. They say they’ve understood things better and made more promises but the money rules are still the same. They want to keep the money system as it is but also help more with new investments.
When will the merger between ZNA and GZA hospitals be finalized, and what challenges have they faced?
During the vote on the money plan at ZNA 7 radiologists left ZNA Cadix hospital because the medical images weren’t up. The hospital mentioned in early June that the diagnoses were sometimes not accurate enough. Later the radiologists and ZNA Cadix made a deal and it seems the radiologists have agreed to keep quiet about it. They haven’t said anything about it yet.
The ZNA and GZA hospitals are waiting for the Belgian Competition Authority to decide on their merger. The BMA seems okay with it but the hospitals have to agree to some extra stuff. The final decision is expected by July 1 at the latest. The merger was supposed to happen in January, then April 1 and now it’s still pending. If they merge Ziekenhuis aan de Stroom (ZAS) will have 10,000 employees making it one of the top 10 employers in the country.
